Adjustable fin system for surfboards

ABSTRACT

A fin system for a surfboard includes a fin box and a fin having a base, wherein the base is slidably engaged to the fin box. A surfboard comprises a fin attached to a bottom of the surfboard through a slot formed from a fin box, and a dial coupled to a base of the fin so that rotation of the dial causes movement of the fin from a distal position toward a read end of the surfboard to a proximal position toward a front end of the surfboard.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to surf boards and, more specifically, to fin systems used on surfboards.

BACKGROUND

Surfboards have one or more fins attached to the bottom side of the surfboard near the back end of the surfboard to help control movement through the water and provide stability to the rear end of the surfboard to allow a surfer to turn the surfboard. Some surfboards have a single fin, while others may include multiple fins, such as a single primary fin along the centerline of the surfboard and secondary fins laterally spaced from the centerline of the surfboard.

Fin systems have been developed to allow some adjustment and/or replacement of the fins of the surfboard. That is, some systems allow a user to replace the fins if they become damaged or if a fin of a different size or configuration is desired based on surf conditions. Moreover, some fin systems allow for a fin to be adjusted forward or backward relative to the surfboard. Such adjustment systems, however, require the user to leave the water, use a screwdriver or alien wrench to loosen the fin and then move the fin forward or back relative to the board to adjust the position of the fin.

Thus, there exists a need in the art to allow a surfer to quickly and easily adjust the position of a fin relative to a surfboard to account for surf conditions and/or surfer preference essentially on the fly.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A particular embodiment relates to a fin system for a surfboard includes a fin box and a fin having a base, wherein the base is slidably engaged to the fin box.

Another embodiment is drawn to a surfboard comprises a fin attached to a bottom of the surfboard through a slot formed from a fin box, and a dial coupled to a base of the fin so that rotation of the dial causes movement of the fin from a distal position toward a read end of the surfboard to a proximal position toward a front end of the surfboard.

Yet another embodiment relates to an adjustable fin system for a surfboard, comprising a fin box adapted for mounting to a surfboard, the fin box defining a longitudinally extending channel, and a fin attachment slider that is slidably coupled to the fin box within the channel, the fin attachment slider being configured to be attached to the base of a fin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a surfboard having an adjustable fin system according to a particular embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an adjustable fin system according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another embodiment of an adjustable fin system, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate yet another embodiment of an adjustable fin system.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fin adjustment system according to a particular embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-10B illustrate various embodiments of fin box/slider arrangements according to particular embodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate another embodiment of a fin adjustment system.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of a fin system.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the fin system incorporating a cable system.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrates an embodiment of the fin system having a longitudinally extending upper slot.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of a fin adjustment system that includes a slider and a rack gear.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the fin adjustment system having a rotary wheel coupled to a scissor gear system.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a system including cam locks that may be employed to lock a slider.

FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the slider and fin box that includes a series of rollers or ball bearings to facilitate movement.

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment that utilizes small gears and a rack system for movement.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the fin adjustment system that is completely embedded within a surfboard.

FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a fin body according to a particular embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. It is noted that the inventor can be his own lexicographer. The inventor expressly elects, as his own lexicographer, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventor's intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventor is also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.

In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a surfboard having an adjustable fin system, generally indicated at 10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, a fin 12 is attached to a bottom 15 of surfboard 14 through a slot 16 formed from a fin box 18. The slot 16 is longer than the longitudinal length of the base of the fin 12 so that the fin 12 can be moved from a more distal position toward the rear end of the surfboard 12 as shown in FIG. 1A to a more proximal position toward the front end of the surfboard 12 as shown in FIG. 1C, and at any location therein between. In order to move the fin 12 relative to the fin box 18, a rotary dial 20 is coupled relative to and accessible from the front side 22 of the surfboard 14. The rotary dial 20 is coupled to the base of the fin 18 so that rotation of the dial 20 causes movement of the fin 12 relative to the surfboard 14 depending on the direction of rotation of the dial 20. The dial 20 has an arrow indicator located thereon for indicating to the surfer the position of the fin relative to the surfboard 14 without the surfer having to examine the position of the fin 12 on the bottom 15 of the surfboard. When the arrow indicator is positioned as shown in FIG. 1B, the fin 12 is positioned at the rear end of the fin box 18 and when the arrow indicator is positioned as shown in FIG. 1D, the fin 12 is positioned at the front end of the fin box 18. Thus, a 180 rotation of the dial 20 will cause the fin 12 to move between the rear and front of the fin box and vice versa, which can equate to four to six inches of movement depending on the length of the fin box 12 and the size of the fin 12.

Movement of the fin 12 relative to the surfboard 14 can have a dramatic effect on the performance and handling of the surfboard. Having the ability to adjust the fin position on the fly without having to remove the surfboard from the water, as is currently required by prior art fin systems, can provide a tremendous advantage to surfers, especially in competition settings. That is, by the time a surfer using a conventional board/fin system leaves the water to adjust the fin, surf conditions can change and/or cause the surfer to miss optimum wave conditions.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, an adjustable fin system, generally indicated at 30 in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is illustrated. The fin system 30 is comprised of a fin 32 coupled to a surfboard 34. The fin system further includes a fin box 36 within which the base 38 of the fin 32 is slideably engaged. The base 38 is retained relative to the base with laterally extending pins 40 that engage with a longitudinally extending slot in the fin box 38.

Movement of the base 38 of the fin 32 is caused by rotation of a dial 42 relative to the surfboard 34 that is coupled to a gear 44. The gear 44 has teeth that engage with a rack gear 46 coupled to or integrally formed with the base 38 of the fin 32. Thus, by rotating the dial 42, the surfer can dial in the desired fin location relative to the board 34 on the fly. The dial 42 is retained within a housing 48 that is permanently embedded within the surfboard 34. The dial 42 is biased with spring 50 relative to the housing 48. Depressing the dial 42 causes disengagement between teeth 52 on the dial 42 and teeth 56 on the housing 48 that otherwise hold the dial 42 in place relative to the housing 48. The dial 42 is coupled to a central shaft 58. The shaft 58 is coupled to the gear 44 such that rotation of the dial 42 and shaft 58 causes rotation of the gear 44. Rotation of the gear 44, in turn, causes displacement of the fin 32 relative to the fin box 36. Once the dial has been rotated to the desired position, releasing the dial 42 causes the dial 42 to reengage with the housing so as to be retained in place by the bias of spring 50. A retaining ring 59 is provided on the bottom end of the shaft 58 to retain the shaft 59 on the gear 44 when the dial 42 is depressed and released. The shaft 58 has a non-circular cross-section that mates with a non-circular hole in the gear so that rotation of the shaft 58 causes rotation of the gear 44. While the forgoing illustrative embodiment has been described with reference to a dial that is depressed to engage it from the housing 48 to allow rotation of the gear 44, it is contemplated that the dial could be configured such that lifting of the dial causes disengagement of the dial from the housing so that the dial can be rotated relative to the housing 48, thus causing rotation of the gear and movement of the fin. In such a system, the dial would be inwardly biased so that release of the dial would cause the dial to be pulled back into the housing to reengage with the housing to prevent further movement of the dial and thus of the fin.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another embodiment of an adjustable fin system, generally indicated at 60, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The adjustable fin system includes a fin box 62 that is permanently mounted to a surfboard 64. The fin box 62 defines a longitudinally extending channel 65. A fin attachment slider 66 is slidably coupled to the fin box 62 within the channel 65. The fin attachment slider 66 is configured to be securely attached to the base of a fin. The attachment slider 66 can be configured to accommodate any type of fin base known in the art. The slider is comprised of a low friction material to allow the slider 66 to tightly fit within the channel 65 but freely slide with little if any lateral movement between the slider and the fin box 62. This prevents unwanted movement or vibration between the fin and the fin box 62 when surfing.

A rotary dial 68 is coupled to the fin box 62. The bottom of the dial 68 includes an angled gear 70 having a plurality of gear teeth radially extending therefrom for engaging with a rack gear 72 provided on the top of the slider 66. Rotation of the dial 68, in turn, causes longitudinal movement of the slider 66 relative to the fin box 62 and thus longitudinal movement of a fin (not shown) relative to the surfboard 64.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is illustrated another embodiment of an adjustable fin system, generally indicated at 80 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The fin system 80 includes a fin box 82 coupled to and embedded within a surfboard 84. A fin 86 is coupled to a slider 88 that is positioned within the fin box channel 90. The fin box channel 90 and slider 88 have a generally trapezoidal shape so as to prevent the slider 88 from being pulled from the fin box while allowing the slider 88 to slide within the channel 90 by rotation of the dial 92. The dial 92 is positioned in the top surface 94 of the surfboard 84. As shown in FIG. 4B, the dial 92 includes a raised center portion 93 that can be grasped by a user and rotated so that the indicator on the raised center portion 93 is pointing at a desired position indicated by number indicators 95.

The dial 92 is coupled to a shaft 96 that is coupled at an opposite end to a gear 98. The gear 98 engages with rack gear 99 formed in the side of the slider 88. Thus, rotation of the dial 92 will cause rotation of the shaft 96 and rotation of the gear 98 to cause the slider 82 to move relative to the fin box 82 and move the fin 86 to a desired location relative to the surfboard 84.

In yet another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a fin adjustment system 100 according to the present invention is comprised of a fin box 102 coupled to a surfboard 104. An elongate slider 106 is slidably coupled to the fin box 102. A longitudinally extending fin slot 108 is provided in the bottom of the fin box 102 that allows the fin (not shown) to slide relative to the fin box 102. A rotary dial 110 is rotatably coupled to the surfboard 104 and includes a plurality of laterally extending gear teeth 112 that are configured for engaging with rack gear 114 formed in the slider 106. Rotation of the dial 110 causes the teeth 112 to rotate, which causes movement of the slider 106 depending on the direction of rotation of the dial 110.

FIGS. 6A-10B illustrate various embodiments of a fin box/slider arrangement according to the principles of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the slider 120 is comprised of an elongate member having a trapezoidal cross-section. The fin box 122 defines a channel having a corresponding trapezoidal cross-section for receiving and retaining the slider 120. In FIG. 7, the slider 124 has a T-shaped cross-section with the fin box 124 defining a longitudinally extending channel having a corresponding T-shaped cross-section. FIG. 8 illustrates a similar T-shaped cross-sectional slider 128 and fin box channel 129. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the slider 130 has a rounded cross-section to match the rounded cross-section of the slider channel 132.

In order to allow the slider to freely slide relative to the fin box, the fin box channel 140 may be lined with low friction materials 142, such as Teflon or other low friction materials known in the art. Likewise, the fin receptacle or slider 144 may be provided with low friction ends 148 that engage with the low friction liner 142 of the housing 146.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment of a fin adjustment system 150 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the fin adjustment system 150 is comprised of a fin box 152 within which a slidable fin receptacle 154 is positioned. The fin box 152 defines a longitudinally extending channel 156 within which the receptacle 154 can move. A worm gear 158 is coupled between the receptacle and a cylindrical roller 160 coupled to the fin box 152. Rotation of the roller 160 causes rotation of the worm gear 158. The worm gear engages corresponding gear teeth (not shown) on the receptacle 154 and causes movement of the receptacle 154 relative to the fin box 152 as the worm gear rotates.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate another embodiment of a fin adjustment system, generally indicated at 200 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. A fin 202 is pivotally and slidably coupled to a fin box 204. In order to adjust the position of the fin 202 relative to the fin box 204, a release lever 206 is raised as shown in FIG. 11B to allow the fin 202 to pivot downwardly away from the surfboard. The fin 202 can then be slid into a desired position. The release lever 206 is then closed as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11C to cause the fin 202 to rotate back to the locked position. Closing of the lever 206 then locks the fin 202 in place. The fin box 204 is provided with a plurality of recesses 208 for receiving and retaining the lever handle 207. Thus, in this example, the fin box 204 is configured to retain the fin in a number of predetermined and discrete fin locations relative to the fin box 204.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of a fin system of the present invention. The fin system 220 is comprised of a fin box 222 to which a slidable fin receptacle 224 is coupled. A rotatable roller 226 is rotatably coupled to the fin box 22 and includes a shaft depending therefrom having a gear 228 attached thereto. The gear 228 engages with a rack gear 230 on the top of the receptacle 224. Rotation of the roller 226 causes the receptacle 224 to slide within the fin box 222 depending on the direction of rotation of the roller 226.

It is also contemplated, as shown in FIG. 13, that the fin receptacle 240 could be moved relative to the fin box 242 by a cable system 244. Rotation of a dial 246 coupled to the cable 244 can cause winding of the cable 244 to pull the receptacle 240 in either direction relative to the fin box 242. The cable is wound at least partially around pulleys 248 and 249 to direct the cable 244 from the dial 246 to the distal end of the fin box 242 and back to the dial 246.

A fin system of the present invention is also illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B. In this embodiment, the fin system 250 includes a fin box having a longitudinally extending upper slot 252 for slidably receiving a retention screw 254 and a lower slot for receiving a slider 256 to which the fin 258 is attached. The fin 258 can be moved by loosening the screw 254 and sliding the slider 256 relative to the fin box 251. The screw 254 is provided with a retention nut 259 that allows the screw to be loosened but not removed from the fin box 251 so as to prevent the screw 254 from becoming dislodged and lost.

As shown in FIG. 15, a fin adjustment system 260 may comprise a slider 262 having a rack gear 264. A gear 266 is mounted relative to the rack gear 266 so as to mate therewith. A gear lever 268 is mounted within a lever recess 270 that is imbedded relative to a top surface of the surfboard to which it is attached. The lever 268 can be rotated to rotate the gear 266 and move the rack 264 so as to cause the slider 262 to move relative to a fin box.

It is further contemplated that other systems for moving a fin relative to a fin box along a length of a surfboard may be employed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. For example, the fin adjustment system 280 illustrated in FIG. 16 is comprised of a rotary wheel 282 coupled to a scissor gear system 284. Rotation of the wheel 282 causes the scissor system 284 to extend or retract depending on the direction of rotation of the wheel 282 to move the fin retainer 286 relative to the fin box 288.

It is further contemplated in FIG. 17 that cam locks 290 and 292 may be employed to lock the slider 294 in place relative to the fin box 296 once moved to a desired location using any of the systems described herein, or any combination thereof.

Also, as shown in FIG. 18, in order to accommodate smooth and free movement of the slider 300 relative to the fin box 302, a series of rollers 304 or ball bearings may be employed to facilitate such movement.

Other systems may also be utilized such as small gears 310 and rack system 312 illustrated in FIG. 19.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, the fin adjustment system of the present invention is completely embedded within a surfboard 400 so that any exposed components are flush or recessed relative to the top and bottom surfaces of the surfboard 400 so as to not alter in any way the performance of the surfboard. Thus the fin box 402 has a bottom surface 404 that is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the surfboard 400. Likewise, the surface 410 of the fin box 402 is beneath the top surface 412 of the surfboard or can be made to be substantially flush therewith depending on whether the fin box is 402 is inserted during the construction of the surfboard or added as an aftermarket component.

As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, a fin 500 of the present invention includes a fin body 502 having a desired contour for providing the desired ride characteristics of a surfboard. The fin 500 also includes a base 504 fixedly coupled to or integrally formed with the body 502. The base 504 is an elongate, generally rectangular body sized to be received within a fin box of the present invention. A rack gear 506 is attached to or integrally formed with the base 504. The rack gear 506 is configured to engage with a gear of the fin adjustment system of the present invention as herein described. Engagement pins can be inserted through holes 508 and 510 to engage with slots in the fin box to add stability to the fin 500 relative to the fin box when attached thereto.

It should be noted that the various features of the embodiments describing a fin adjustment system could be combined to form other fin adjustment systems according to the principles of the present invention. It is also contemplated that more than one such fin adjustment system could be used on a single surfboard. Since it is common for surfboards to have multiple fins, each one could be made adjustable according to the present invention. For smaller outside fins, the scale of the adjustment system could be modified to accommodate smaller fins and to fit within the surfboard in thinner sections of the surfboard.

In the foregoing specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, not restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the components and/or elements may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problem, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components.

The terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” “includes” or any variations of such terms, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surfboard comprising: a fin attached to a bottom of the surfboard through a slot formed from a fin box; and a dial coupled to a base of the fin so that rotation of the dial causes movement of the fin from a distal position toward a read end of the surfboard to a proximal position toward a front end of the surfboard.
 2. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the dial is coupled relative to and accessible from a front side of the surfboard.
 3. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the dial is coupled to the base of the fin.
 4. The surfboard of claim 1, wherein the dial comprises an arrow indicator located thereon for indicating the position of the fin relative to the surfboard.
 5. A fin system for a surfboard comprising: a fin box; and a fin having a base, wherein the base is slidably engaged to the fin box.
 6. The fin system of claim 5, wherein the fin box includes a longitudinally extending slot and wherein the base of the fin is retained in the fin box with laterally extending pins that engage the longitudinally extending slot in the fin box.
 7. The fin system of claim 5, further comprising a dial coupled to a gear, wherein the gear is coupled to a rack gear that is coupled to the base of the fin.
 8. The fin system of claim 7, wherein the dial is retained within a housing that is permanently embedded within the surfboard.
 9. The fin system of claim 7, wherein the dial is biased with a spring relative to the housing and configured to cause engagement and disengagement between teeth on the dial and teeth on the housing.
 10. The fin system of claim 9, wherein the dial is coupled to a shaft, the shaft being coupled to the gear, such that rotation of the dial and shaft causes rotation of the gear and displacement of the fin relative to the fin box.
 11. The fin system of claim 10, further comprising a retaining ring provided on a bottom end of the shaft to retain the shaft on the gear when the dial is depressed and released.
 12. The fin system of claim 5, further comprising: a slidable fin receptacle positioned in the fin box, the fin box defining a longitudinally extending channel within which the receptacle can move.
 13. The fin system of claim 12, further comprising a cylindrical roller coupled to the fin box, and a gear coupled between the receptacle and the cylindrical roller; wherein rotation of the roller causes rotation of the worm gear, and wherein the worm gear engages corresponding gear teeth on the receptacle to cause movement of the receptacle relative to the fin box as the worm gear rotates.
 14. The fin system of claim 12, further comprising a cable system connected to the fin receptacle to move the receptacle relative to the fin box.
 15. An adjustable fin system for a surfboard, comprising: a fin box adapted for mounting to a surfboard, the fin box defining a longitudinally extending channel; a fin attachment slider that is slidably coupled to the fin box within the channel, the fin attachment slider being configured to be attached to the base of a fin.
 16. The adjustable fin system of claim 15, wherein the slider comprises a low friction material.
 17. The adjustable fin system of claim 15, further comprising a rotary dial coupled to the fin box.
 18. The adjustable fin system of claim 15, wherein a bottom of the dial includes an angled gear having a plurality of gear teeth radially extending therefrom for engaging with a rack gear provided on the top of the slider.
 19. The adjustable fin system of claim 15, wherein the fin box channel is lined with a low friction material.
 20. The adjustable fin system of claim 15, wherein the dial is coupled relative to and accessible from a front side of the surfboard. 